Sunday, June 28, 2015

A Step in the Write Direction--June 29, 2015--Writing for Newspapers

A Step in the Write Direction

June 29, 2015

Update: Things you miss when a
spouse is gone: Not only things they did (dishes, laundry, cooking sometimes,
running errands) but sharing things you read in the paper, see on the Internet,
watching TV shows together—like the Gaither Homecoming special. Hearing a
favorite song and turning to him in his recliner to see if he is enjoying it,
then realizing that, of course, he’s not there. Hearing Howard Goodman give a
reading that your husband painstakingly copied word for word and then read it at
your 50th
wedding anniversary. People say it gets easier with time, but I’m not so
sure!...Having physical therapy 3 times a week for 3-4 months; hoping to avoid
surgery. The words of the song below came to me the other morning when I awoke,
and it’s so true: “He gives me strength far more than my
share”!

Thought for the Day: “If I
expect specific responses from others that I don’t get, I become angry. Or I can
change my expectations” (Cecil Murphey, used by permission).

Song
for the Day:

In this world of fear and doubt—On my knees I ask the
question

Why a lonely heavy cross I must bear

Then He tells me in my prayer It’s because I am
trustworthy

He gives me strength far more than my
share.

Known only to Him are the great hidden
secrets

I’ll fear not the darkness when my flame shall
dim

I know not what the future holds, But I know Who
holds the future

It’s a secret known only to Him.

“Known Only to Him,” Stuart Hamblen,
1952

Laugh for the Day:

"You want
to marry me?" the girl asked in surprise."You've only known me three months."

"Oh, I've
known you longer than that," the young man replied."I've worked two years in the bank where your father has his
account."

Writer’s Tips:Writing for Newspapers

Letters
to the Editor

How
often does conversation among family members and friends turn to current events?
You complain about what is happening in the world, each of you offering your
opinion of what should be done, or you praise someone in the community or in
politics for doing a positive deed. Then you go home, and what happens? Probably
nothing.

Organize
your thoughts in a Letter to the Editor. State how you feel about an elected
official, a law that’s been passed, or a school event you attended. The tone can
be laudatory or critical, but the letters usually have to be within a certain
length. It’s important that you stay
within this length! If you send it in longer than acceptable, the editor may
delete a paragraph that contains the crux of your letter. By following the
rules, you maintain control.

These
letters are a great way not only to share your faith, but to get your name in
front of readers and also the editor. After a few well-written missives, he may
call you with assignments.

About Me

Donna Clark Goodrich, freelance writer, editor, and speaker is a wife, mother of three and grandmother of two. A native of Jackson, Michigan, she has lived in Mesa, Arizona, since 1969. She enjoys teaching at Christian writers conferences. Author of 23 books and over 700 published manuscripts, Donna says, “I write devotional and self-help books to encourage Christians in their daily walk with God, how-to books to train writers, biographies to tell other people's stories, short stories and poetry for readers' enjoyment, and personal experience articles to share how God has helped me through life situations.”
dgood648@aol.com; www.thewritersfriend.net